Going by the definitions, a sociopath is just a person with an antisocial personality disorder. A psychopath is a person with an antisocial personality disorder that makes them act in an aggressive, perverted, violent or amoral manner without empathy or remorse for their actions.

There isn’t much difference. Sociopaths seem to control themselves better than psychopaths. Psychopaths have violent outbursts and manic behaviour. Instead of violent outbursts sociopaths will take as long as it takes even years to destroy a selected target. A psychopath is prone to a higher likelihood of violence and a sociopath is not. The term psychopath or sociopath seems to mean one and the same these days. Either way stay out of their way. They’re mean suckers!

A sociopath is a person with an antisocial personality. The psychopath is just another name for the road to madness. Actually there is no real difference at all. "sociopath", at http://www.onelook.com/?w=sociopath&ls=a is defined " someone with a sociopathic personality; a person with an antisocial personality disorder (`psychopath' was once widely used but has now been superseded by `sociopath') " "psychopath" at http://www.onelook.com/?w=psychopath&ls=a is defined " someone with a sociopathic personality; a person with an antisocial personality disorder (`psychopath' was once widely used but has now been superseded by `sociopath') " Wait! I may have got the wrong links for each definition. When I went here http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/features/dictionary/DictionaryResults.aspx?refid=1861736130 I saw that a psychopath is "somebody affected with a personality disorder marked by aggressive, violent, antisocial thought and behavior and a lack of remorse or empathy " whereas a sociopath is "Same as psychopath ." Or maybe it was the other way around. Even the more specific medical online dictionaries weren't any better. In fact http://www.mercksource.com/pp/us/cns/cns_hl_dorlands.jspzQzpgzEzzSzppdocszSzuszSzcommonzSzdorlandszSzdorlandzSzdmd-a-b-000zPzhtm says that both words are "a previously used term for a person exhibiting antisocial personality disorder. " What kind of double talk is this?. Stupid dictionaries! They're gonna be sorry they messed with me, what gives them the right to tell people what words mean? I'm gonna wait outside their door till they get off from work, I'll show them the difference between a sociopath and a sociopath! I might even show them a little psychopathy if they survive the first lesson. Then.... uh oh...lessee one lil pink pill and two green ones... Seems like 'socio' is a bit newer than 'psycho', maybe etymology of 'socio' describes the condition more closely, with socio being connected to social skills and pscho more with the mind in general. or maybe socio just sounds better and is more PC. But not as PC as "antisocial personality disorder."

The psycopath behaves in the same detrimental fashion as a sociopath. The difference is the psycopath has no remorse or feeling of guilt about his behavior. The sociopath, on the other hand, knows his or her behavior is wrong. So, the one knows his or her behavior is not acceptable to society whereas the other is oblivious to this point.

The way I see it a 'Psychopath' allows his or her thoughts to manifest itself in the physical form, via the use of violence and what not. Whereas the 'Sociopath' keeps all his or her thoughts inside their heads because they understand the fact that society won't accept them for their behaviour, unlike the 'Psychopath' they don't really care. Therein the 'Psychopath' lacks remorse and doesn't feel the need to belong.

You guys are all wrong. From http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-difference-between-a-psychopath-and-a-sociopath.htm, "The difference between a psychopath and a sociopath is somewhat blurred, at least according to the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). DSM-IV lists both definitions together under the heading of Antisocial Personalities because they share some common traits. However, some professionals maintain there is a difference beyond the similarities. Shared traits of the psychopath and sociopath include a complete disregard for the feelings and rights of others. This usually surfaces by age 15 and may be accompanied by cruelty to animals. These traits are distinct and repetitive, creating a pattern of misbehavior that goes beyond normal adolescent mischief. Both the psychopath and sociopath fail to feel remorse or guilt. They appear to lack a conscience and are completely self-serving. They routinely disregard rules, social mores and laws, unmindful of putting themselves or others at risk. Of the more distinguishing traits, some argue the sociopath to be less organized in his or her demeanor, nervous and easily agitated – someone likely living on the fringes of society, without solid or consistent economic support. A sociopath is more likely to spontaneously act out in inappropriate ways without thinking through the consequences. Conversely, the psychopath tends to be extremely organized, secretive and manipulative. The outer personality is often charismatic and charming, hiding the real person beneath. Though psychopaths do not feel for others, they can mimic behaviors that make them appear normal. Upon meeting, one would have more of a tendency to trust a psychopath than a sociopath. Because of the organized personality of the psychopath, he or she might have a tendency to be better educated than the average sociopath, who probably lacks the attentive skills to excel in school. While psychopaths can fly under the radar of society, many maintaining families and steady work, a sociopath more often lacks the skills and drive for mimicking normal behavior, making “seemingly healthy” relationships and a stable home less likely. From a criminal standpoint, a sociopath’s crimes are typically disorganized and spontaneous, while the psychopath’s crimes are well planned out. For this reason, psychopaths are harder to catch than sociopaths, as the sociopath is more apt to leave ample evidence in his or her explosions of violence. "

who is doing the asking.

Sociopaths are unable to experience emotional responses for other people outside of their own personal interests. This is not to be confused with ideological or philosophical traits that share the same viewpoint from outside perception, instead it is the psychological inability to show emotion or caring for others. While a sociopath can feel emotion, it is (even if it results in care for another) because they find it viable for themselves, as opposed to what would be termed as selflessness. Psychopathy (pronounced /saɪˈkÉ’pÉ™θi/) is a psychological construct that describes chronic disregard for ethical principles and antisocial behavior. The term is often used interchangeably with sociopathy. In the ICD-10 diagnosis criteria, the terms antisocial/dissocial personality disorder are used. The term is used as a definition in law, for example, "psychopathic personality disorder" under the Mental Health Act 1983 of the UK as well as to denote a severe condition often related to antisocial or dissocial personality disorder as defined by the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R). The term "psychopathy" is often confused with psychotic disorders. It is estimated that approximately one percent of the general population are psychopaths. The psychopath is defined by an uninhibited gratification in criminal, sexual, or aggressive impulses and the inability to learn from past mistakes. Individuals with this disorder gain satisfaction through their antisocial behavior and lack remorse for their actions.

a sociopath can not distinquish between right and wrong. s/he simply does NOT know the differnce. a psychopath is aware of the differnce (he knows that murder is wrong) he just dosnt care. he doesnt have a conscience, if you will. +3